Barcelona head into this La Liga season with the chance of achieving something special.
Winning the Spanish top-flight title for the third year in a row would make Hansi Flick’s team the first to do that since Pep Guardiola’s Barca in 2011.
There would be nice symmetry in them doing that against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid — while they also have unfinished business in the Champions League.
The Catalans have made some exciting signings in Rodri, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi. But they still lack a senior centre-forward, with their pursuit of Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez so far proving fruitless.
This is what to expect from the coming season.
What are the expectations inside the club?
Fighting to win every single trophy available.
That is the expectation at Barcelona every year, and it has not changed after spending more than €170million ($198m; £146m) on stars such as Rodri, Gordon and Adeyemi.
Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi have been two exciting additions (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Barca have dominated La Liga over the past two seasons — but bringing Champions League glory back to the city 12 years after their last European title win is Flick’s ultimate goal.
Who have they signed?
Rodri is the player who arrived to the biggest sense of expectation, with Barca securing Spain’s World Cup-winning captain and the tournament’s best player from Manchester City in a €76m deal, including add-ons.
They bolstered their frontline by bringing in Gordon from Newcastle United and Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund for a combined fee of just under €100m.
Sporting director Deco pushed to sign a player for Barca’s long-term future in Jesse Bisiwu. The 18-year-old Belgian winger is seen as a top prospect after signing from Club Brugge for €8.5m and is expected to stay with the first-team, although he could get more regular time with reserve side Barca Atletic.
Versatile full-back Joao Cancelo, meanwhile, has joined permanently after mutually terminating his contract at Al Hilal — following his second loan spell at Barca last season.
What is their transfer priority before the window closes?
A new No 9. Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have departed, and Atletico Madrid refuse to entertain the idea of losing Barca’s top target Julian Alvarez, so they head into the season without a senior striker. It is unclear who they will be able to sign at this point.
If there are further exits, especially in defence, they may explore the market for a new centre-back, preferably a left-footed one. But that is very much on the back burner for now.
What else is new?
The captains.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo’s loan moves to Ajax and Liverpool have left Barca needing to renew their leadership group. Flick has named Raphinha temporary captain, at least until the end of the transfer window, when a dressing-room vote will be held.
Raphinha has been named temporary captain (Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Frenkie de Jong had been next in line, having been part of last season’s captaincy group. Flick argued he chose Raphinha instead because De Jong is not available, and will not be for some time, following a ligament injury in his right knee during the World Cup.
Pedri and Eric Garcia were Flick’s two other choices for the group of leaders. Let’s see which of them stays, and if De Jong returns as one of the captains, when the players’ vote takes place next month.
Who’s been the best player in pre-season?
Hamza Abdelkarim and Xavi Espart.
Abdelkarim, the 18-year-old Egyptian whose loan move from Al Ahly was made permanent this summer, finished as the top scorer in pre-season with four goals. He is a classic No 9 with great goalscoring instincts. He can expect to get some playing time at the start of the season and could capitalise on Barca not having a senior striker.
Hamza Abdelkarim, right, has impressed in pre-season (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
But Espart deserves a mention, too. After making his first-team debut last season in the Champions League against Newcastle, the 19-year-old has continued to impress Flick.
Espart is a technically gifted midfielder who has been converted to a right-back over the last few years at La Masia but can play both roles well. He barely puts a foot wrong and his versatility will make him a useful asset.
Given Rodri, Pedri and Gavi are still building up to full fitness after the World Cup, it would not be a surprise to see Espart feature in tonight’s La Liga opener against Elche.
What are they worried about?
The lack of a No 9, as mentioned above and explored in this article.
Aside from that, De Jong’s injury and the treatment he has been receiving. The Netherlands international’s right knee ligament tear came as a shock. Barca sources believed De Jong should undergo surgery, while the player preferred to follow a conservative treatment and see if he could recover without an operation.
The 29-year-old’s recovery will define how much he plays this campaign.
How’s the manager feeling?
Flick is in a positive mood.
The German is happy with the club’s work in the transfer market, as Barca and sporting director Deco coordinated with him on every move. Barca failing to tie down all their primary targets was not for the lack of trying, and Flick has appreciated the effort and honest communication he has maintained with Deco.
Hansi Flick has been in a positive mood in pre-season (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
He has a squad fully committed to his style of play and philosophy and hungry for more major honours. That is sure to help Barca progress in the way Flick wants them to.
What’s the percentage chance of Flick seeing out the season?
Generally, the manager’s seat at the Camp Nou is a very hot one. But Flick’s position at the club is very strong, and it’s around 80 per cent likely that he will see out the season.
The German is deeply admired by the fanbase and has also created an excellent connection with the club’s hierarchy, especially sporting director Deco.
There is a clear sense of direction and project, and the manager’s vision is a big part of this. He has been involved in all the major decisions made at the club, from signings to players that have been offloaded. No Barca player doubts his leadership of this group.
I believe Flick will see out the season and stay beyond it even if Barca fail to win a major trophy, as long as standards don’t drop too worryingly. The 60-year-old has earned that level of trust from everyone at the club after two excellent seasons in charge.
I wouldn’t be surprised if…
Barca need to delve into the transfer market in January for an emergency signing.
Beyond a No 9, they need another defender. After Araujo’s loan exit, Flick will need every single individual in defence to cope with the demands of the upcoming season.
Andreas Christensen will be needed to offer back-up in central defence, but he is coming off two seasons where he has rarely been available through injuries.
Gerard Martin’s progression has been excellent and he is seen as a reliable left-footed centre-back now, despite nominally being a left-back. But Barca need more than that to reach the latter stages of the Champions League.
What is their strongest XI?
